* Canadian dollar trades near flat against the greenback
* Canadian GDP increases 0.1% in August
* Loonie on track to rise 0.6% for the month
* Canadian bond prices rise across the yield curve
By Fergal Smith
TORONTO, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar was little changed against its U.S. counterpart on Thursday as domestic data showed modest economic growth, with the currency steadying after it was pressured the day before by a more dovish tone from the Bank of Canada.
At 10:03 a.m. (1403 GMT), the Canadian dollar CAD=D4 was trading nearly unchanged at 1.3157 to the greenback, or 76.01 U.S. cents. The currency, which hit a near two-week low on Wednesday at 1.3210, traded in a narrow range of 1.3148 to 1.3178.
For the month, the loonie was on track to rise 0.6%.
Canada's economy gained 0.1% in August, a touch less than analysts expected, amid a rebound in manufacturing and an uptick in services-producing industries, Statistics Canada data showed. big picture is that growth has throttled back to around potential, or slightly lower, after a one-quarter bounce in the spring," Doug Porter, chief economist at BMO Capital Markets, said in a note.
On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada cut domestic and global growth forecasts as it held its benchmark interest rate steady at 1.75% as expected. The central bank left the door open to a possible cut over the coming months that could help the economy weather the damaging effects of global trade conflicts.
Uncertainty around a potential trade deal between the United States and China weighed on Wall Street .SPX on Thursday, while the price of oil, one of Canada's major exports, was pressured by rising U.S. crude oil stocks and weak factory activity in China. crude oil futures CLc1 fell 1.1% to $54.44 a barrel.
Meanwhile, the Canadian province of Alberta said it would allow companies to produce additional oil if they move it by rail, easing curtailment rules that were designed to reduce transport bottlenecks. capacity shortages have led many companies to move from Canada's energy sector. Oil and gas producer Encana Corp ECA.TO said on Thursday it will shift its base to the United States. government bond prices were higher across the yield curve in sympathy with U.S. Treasuries. The two-year CA2YT=RR rose 7 Canadian cents to yield 1.524% and the 10-year CA10YT=RR was up 35 Canadian cents to yield 1.413%.
The 10-year yield touched its lowest intraday since Oct. 11 at 1.405%.